One hope for education is utilizing wireless communication and tablets (such as Ipads) combined with online instruction -- ever hear of a MOOC? That stands for Massive Open Online Class - college courses that are being shared via the Internet with the entire world for FREE.
Much of this humanitarian/educational outreach is the work of universities and grassroots groups. I personally believe that, within a generation, education (including "college") will be quite different and VERY accessible to all who are interested.
And as for a robot in class . . . COOL!! (Hey, this IS an Astro Boy forum!)
I do not see how Japan's educational programs introducing robots to certain classrooms detracts from other nations. I think the robots are used to learn about humans' ability to learn, and I doubt they put robots in classrooms just for the sake of being cool.
